Knee Replacement Exercise Booklet

Weight Bearing As Tolerated

BEFORE AFTER

Patient Name: ________________________

Surgeon:_____________________________
Date of Surgery:_______________________
Physiotherapist:_______________________
Department of Rehabilitation
(416) 967-8650 ext._______
PR 99508 (12-2009)
 How to Use This Book
1. It is recommended that the exercises be taught by a physiotherapist.
2. Not every exercise is needed.
3. You will need to do only the exercises that your physiotherapist determines are important for you.
4. In the first few weeks at home it is important that you continue to improve your knee bending
and straightening. The next few pages are a guide to assist you if your knee is becoming stiff.

Reduce Pain and Swelling

Ice and Heat

 Apply ice for 10 –15 minutes to the operated knee or thigh especially after exercise. Ice on the
operated knee while elevating the leg above your heart helps reduce swelling.
 Beginning 3-4 days after surgery, you may apply heat under the knee or to the thigh muscle well
above the incision for 10-15 minutes before you exercise.
Pain Medication

 Pain medication should be taken as prescribed in hospital.

 It is important that your pain is controlled so that you are able to complete 2-3 exercise sessions
in a day.
 Take your pain medication 45 minutes before your exercise session.
Positioning Leg in Bed

 While lying on your back, rest your operated leg with a straight knee on the bed. Do not put a
pillow under your operated leg . 2
 My Knee is Getting More Stiff. What do I do?
Please assess your knee movement using the diagrams on the following two pages to track your progress.
On the last page of this booklet a tracking chart is provided for you and your physiotherapist to monitor
your progress. If you are experiencing an increase in knee stiffness or find that your knee range of
motion is not improving since your hospital discharge are you:

 Doing enough exercises? If your knee is becoming stiffer you should increase to 10 repetitions of
range of motion exercises every two hours. It is necessary to hold the stretch for 20-30 seconds at the
end of your range; it is normal to have pain while doing these exercises.
 Taking the prescribed pain medication as suggested in hospital?
 Icing your knee frequently? You should ice your knee for 10-15 minutes, especially after the exer-
cises. Allow at least one hour between icing sessions. A bag of frozen peas wrapped in a kitchen towel
or pillowcase makes an ideal ice pack.
 Applying heat to the thigh muscle well above the incision or behind the knee for 10-15 minutes be-
fore exercises? You should feel a pleasant warmth, not a burning sensation.
 Elevating your leg above the heart level? You may need to do this for 20 minutes, 2-3 times a day to
help decrease the swelling.
 Doing too much other activity? Often a sudden increase in activity level is the reason for an increase
in knee swelling and stiffness. Decreasing your other activities for a 24-hour period may help. Take
more rest breaks.
 Staying in one position? For example, if you sit for a prolonged period of time, it can also cause
stiffness. Be sure to change position frequently.

If you have tried the above strategies for 3 days with no improvement please call and leave a
message at : 416.967-8526
3
 At Home Keep Checking That Your Knee Movement is Improving
Estimate your Knee Bend (flexion):
Sitting in a chair with your body weight evenly distributed on both buttocks
and your back against the chair, bend your operated knee by sliding your heel
under the seat.
If you are unable to bend past position 2 by two weeks (from surgery) call us
and leave a message at 416-967-8526.

Your Goal: Foot

under the chair

2
4 3

**If foot cannot move under the chair begin to do one of

exercises #23, #24, #25 or #26 more often in the day, suggested
10 repetitions every 2 hours. 4
4

4
At Home Keep Checking That Your Knee Movement is Improving
Estimate your Knee Straightening (extension):
Push down on thigh to straighten the knee towards the bed, making sure that your toes are pointing up
to the ceiling. Attempt to straighten the knee as much as possible towards position B. If you are unable
to straighten the knee beyond position A by two weeks call us and leave a message at 416-967-8526.

A A

**If you are unable to straighten your knee Your goal: Knee straight
flat on the bed, even with hands pushing, begin to with roll under ankle
do one of exercises #20, #21 or #22 more often in
the day, suggested 10 repetitions every 2 hours.

5
B
 Immediate Postoperative Exercises

1. Deep Breathing and Coughing Exercises

Take a slow deep breath, in the nose and out of the mouth.

2. Ankle Pumping
Move your feet up, down and in circles.

3. Buttock Contractions
Tighten your buttock muscles and hold for a count of 5 seconds.

*Repeat exercises #1-3, ten times every hour you are awake*

Begin the above exercises immediately after your surgery, as they are important to:
 help prevent complications with your breathing
 help prevent blood clots in your legs
 increase your circulation

6
 Postoperative Exercises

These exercises begin during your hospital stay and continue after discharge.
Repeat each exercise 2 to 3 times a day.

4. Static Quadriceps Strengthening 5. Static Quadriceps with Hip Abduction

Tighten the muscle on the front of your operated Tighten quadriceps muscle (as in exercise #4) and
thigh to press your knee into the bed and bring toes slide your leg out and in, keeping your operated leg
towards you. on the bed with the toes pointed to the ceiling.

Hold 5 seconds. Hold 5 seconds.

Repeat 10 times. Repeat 10 times.

7
 Flexion Exercises
6. Knee Bend With A Pulley Or A Sheet

Lying as shown, put the sling or a sheet under your operated knee.

a) Bend your knee and then pull on the pulley or sheet to bend your operated knee further.
b) Keeping your knee bent, press your heel into the bed to tighten the muscle at the back of your thigh.
Hold 5 seconds then relax and try to bend further, assisting with the pulley or sheet.

Repeat 10 times.

 It is important to bend as much as possible now to prevent getting a stiff knee.

 It is normal to experience pain with this exercise.

OR

8
 Extension Exercises
7. Roll Stretch

Place the heel of your operated leg on a roll with the toes
pointed to the ceiling. Tighten your front thigh muscles to
press your operated knee down toward the bed. Place your
hands above the knee (as shown) and press down to help
maximize the stretch behind your knee. Do not bounce with
your hand, hold the stretch instead.

Hold 10-20 seconds.

Repeat 5-10 times.

8. Active-Assisted Quads Over Roll

Place a roll under your operated knee and sheet around your
foot.
a) Tighten your front thigh muscle to raise your heel off the
bed using the sheet to assist.
b) Keeping your knee pressing down on the roll, loosen the
tension of the sheet and maintain the heel off the bed with-
out the help of the sheet.
(*note: the sheet only assists to raise and lower the foot)

Hold 5-10 seconds.

Repeat 10 times. 9
 Flexion & Quadriceps Strengthening Exercises
9. Knee Bend With Leg Press 10. Sitting Knee Extension
a) Place a sheet around the foot of your operated
leg. Use it to help bend the operated knee. Keep Sitting on a firm surface, chest up with low back
your heel on the bed. Hold 5 seconds. arched. Tighten the muscles on the front of your thigh
(Quadriceps) to straighten your operated knee. Feel
the stretch behind the thigh and knee.
Lower your leg slowly.

Hold 5-15 seconds.

Repeat 5 times.

b) Slowly straighten your operated leg against

the resistance of the sheet. (* note: push your foot
against the sheet). Keep your heel on the bed. Try
to straighten. Repeat 10 times.

10

11. Knee Bend Progression
a) Sitting on the bed or chair,
bend your operated knee by
sliding your heel under the seat.
You may use a plastic bag to
assist with sliding the heel back.
Hold 10-20 seconds.
Repeat 10 times.
These are 3 different exercises that you can use to improve your knee bend.
Flexion Exercises
b) Cross the non-operated
ankle over the operated ankle,
and use it to help bend the
operated knee. Ensure you do
not lift your buttock off the bed.
Hold 10-20 seconds.
Repeat 10 times.
c) Bend operated knee with
assistance of a belt (as shown).
Loop the belt around the ankle of
your operated leg . Bring it up and
over your shoulder and pull.
Hold 10-20 seconds.
Repeat 10 times.
11
 Quadriceps Strengthening Exercises
12. Chair Rise
Start Position:
Standing with feet shoulder
width apart and back of
knees near chair.
a) Tighten front thigh muscles
to straighten knees.
b) With weight evenly on both feet c) If needed use armrest to
gradually lower yourself towards gradually lower and rise
the chair keeping knees close to from the seat.
the chair and buttocks over the
seat. d) Progress by reducing use of
Progression: Hold 5 seconds in armrests.
this quarter squat position as
shown below. Repeat 10 times.

12
Progress to using a chair with no armrests.
 Walking and Balance Exercises
14. Single Leg Balance
Attempt to balance on your operated leg by moving
your non-operated leg out to the side and/or by
bending it up in front of you. Ensure that you are
not leaning to one side by using a mirror for
feedback. Repeat exercise on non-operated leg.
Begin by using a support (e.g.. walker, canes, kitchen
counter).

Repeat 10-20 times.

Progression:
1. Increase the amount of time you are balancing
while using support (aim to balance for 20-30
seconds).
2. Try to balance without the use of a support.
3. Gradually increase the amount of time on one leg
13. Forward/Backward Stepping
Stand up tall with your weight on your operated leg.
Begin by stepping forward and backward with your
non-operated leg. Practice transferring your weight
from one leg to the other.
Keep knee straight as you stand on it.
Use hand support such as the kitchen counter for
safety and balance. Progress to using a cane and
then with no aid.
Repeat 20 times.
13

*Progress to taking 5 to 6 backward steps in a row.

 How To Manage Stairs One At A Time

To go up the stairs: To go down the stairs:

1. Put the non-operated leg on the step. 1. Lead with the cane and the operated leg first.
2. Use the cane and handrail to help step up. 2. Bring non-operated leg down to the same step.
3. Bring the operated leg up to the same step.

As your knee range of motion and strength improves, you will eventually be able to
resume “normal” stair pattern (i.e. up and down with either leg, reciprocal). 14
 Strengthening Exercises
15. Quarter Squat
Place your feet shoulder width apart, about
6-12 inches from the wall. Keep your toes
pointing straight ahead, and your back and
shoulders against the wall.

With the weight back on your heels, slowly

bend your knees. Lower yourself about 1/4
to 1/3 of the way down the wall. (Slide
straight down - do NOT lean to one side
and do not allow the knees to go ahead of
your toes).
Hold 5-10 seconds.
Repeat 10 times.

17. Knee Straightening in

16. Hamstring Curl Standing
Holding on to a support, bring the Standing against a wall.
heel of the operated leg towards Straighten your operated
your buttock. Remain standing up knee by tightening you thigh
tall. Move thigh backward to keep muscle and pushing the knee
it beside the other leg. towards the wall.

Hold 5 seconds. Hold 5 seconds.

Repeat 10 times. Repeat 10 times.
15
 Step Exercises
18. Step Exercise
Stand at the bottom of the stairs,
a) Step up with the non-operated leg first and then bring operated leg onto the step. Now
step BACKWARDS lowering the non-operated leg down first then bring operated leg
down.
b) Progress by bringing the operated leg up first. Lower with non-operated leg
BACKWARDS off the step.
c) Progress to normal pattern of climbing and descending stairs i.e. only one foot is on a
step when going up and down (reciprocal). You may try going down stairs laterally until
you are more comfortable going down in normal pattern. (see lateral step exercise #33)
*Use support as needed and keep your body up tall.
Repeat 10 times.

**Helpful Tip: Increase the step height as able. Begin with a 2-4 inch step,
progress to a 6 inch step and then a 8 inch step height.

19. Forward Knee Lunge

Place the foot of your operated leg on a step. Lunge forward to

bend the operated knee. Use support as needed and keep your
body up tall.

Hold 10-20 seconds.

Repeat 5 times.
16
 Exercise Progression

 It is a good idea to add one new exercise a day.

 As a guide, soreness related to exercise should diminish within a few hours of completing the exercise
program. If you continue to experience exercise-related soreness after more than 4 hours, then you can
reduce the intensity of the exercises. This can be done by reducing the number of repetitions. Ensure you
take your pain medication 45 minutes to an hour before exercises and ice afterwards for 15 minutes.

 If you find that an exercise is no longer challenging, you should progress its “intensity” by gradually
increasing the number of repetitions. This is done by completing 10 repetitions of an exercise, resting for 1
to 2 minutes, then complete 10 more repetitions. You should aim for 3 sets of 10 repetitions.

**Remember: This booklet is meant as a general guide for your exercises. If you are
unsure of a particular exercise, or how to progress the intensity, it is best to clarify it with
a Physiotherapist.

17
 Extension Progression Exercises
20. Coach Assisted Knee Extension On
A Roll
This is similar to exercise #7.
The coach can assist to regain straighten-
ing of the operated knee. The coach
pushes down with two hands above the
knee. **You should guide your coach to
hold a stretch that is tolerable for you.

Hold 20 seconds. Repeat 5 times.

21. Weighted Knee Extension In Sitting

Sitting as shown, tie the handles of two bags together with equal weight in
each bag and place it around your operated leg above the kneecap (one bag
hangs on each side). Ensure the weight is NOT directly on your knee. Allow
your knee to relax and “sink” towards the floor. You should feel a stretch
behind your knee.
Hold 5-10 minutes. Repeat 2-3 times/day.

22. Gravity Assisted Knee Extension Stretch

Lie on your stomach with your operated foot and ankle

off the end of bed. Place a towel under your thigh just
above the knee. As tolerated, add a light weight on the
ankle to increase the stretch.
18

Hold 5-10 minutes. Repeat 2-3 times/day

 Flexion Progression Exercises
23. Coach Assisted Knee Bend / Hamstring Strength
This is similar to exercise #11. In this exercise the coach is helping to increase knee bend.
**You should guide your coach to hold a stretch that is tolerable for you.

a) Push the operated leg back b) Relax the operated leg, allow the coach to press down on the
against the coach’s hand and hold top of the knee cap and pull the ankle down while you pull on the
in position for 5 seconds. belt to bend your knee further. Hold 10-15 seconds.
19
Repeat above sequence of a) and b) 10 times.
 Flexion Progression Exercises
24. Prone Knee Bend With Strap 25. Quad Stretch In
Standing
Place a towel under your thigh (as shown). Wrap a
belt around the ankle of your operated leg. Hands Hold the operated foot
pull the belt to assist the heel of your operated leg using a towel. Pull on the
to move toward your buttock. Bend the knee as towel to stretch your
much as your are able. quadriceps. Keep your
Hold 20 seconds. Repeat 5 times. knees parallel and keep
operated knee pointed to
the floor. Do not bend at
hip.
Hold 20 seconds.
Repeat 5 times.

26. Quad Stretch in Lying

Lying at the edge of the bed. Hug non-operated leg up

towards chest while you bend operated leg under the
bed with the help of a sheet.

Hold 20 seconds. Repeat 5 times.

20
 Calf Exercises
27. Raise Up On Toes / Calf Strengthening
Holding on to support if needed, raise heels off
the floor. Progress to standing on the operated
leg only.
Hold 5 seconds.
Repeat 10-30 times.
Knee straight
28. Calf Stretch
Holding on to a support, place the operated leg
back. Keep your operated knee straight and the
heel on the ground. Be sure to keep your chest up
tall while bending the non-operated knee till you
feel a stretch in the calf muscle of the operated leg.
Hold 20 seconds. 21
Repeat 5 times.
 Hamstrings Exercises
29.a) Hamstrings Stretch in Standing

Stand with the heel of the operated leg

resting on a chair and toes pointing to
the ceiling. Hold onto support with one
hand and put other hand at low back.
Keep chest up. Do not twist hips while
moving chest forward until stretch is
felt behind the thigh and knee.
(Standing foot points forward).

Hamstrings Stretch Hold 20 seconds.

Repeat 5 times.
30. Hamstrings Strengthening
b) Hamstrings Stretch in Long Sitting with Theraband

Sit on the edge of the bed with the oper-
ated leg out straight and toes pointing to
the ceiling. Keep you chest up while
you move your chest forward until a
stretch is felt behind the thigh and knee
(hands push on bed to help lift chest
up).
Sitting in a chair, place a ________
(coloured) theraband around the
ankle of your operated leg. Slide
your foot under the chair as far back
as you can against the resistance of
the theraband. Slowly allow the leg
to return to the starting position.

Hold 20 seconds. Hold 5 seconds.

Repeat 5 times. Repeat 10-30 times.
22
 Quadriceps Strengthening Progression Exercises
a) b)
31. Quarter Squat With Ball
a) Place ball behind low back as shown in
picture, with feet shoulder width apart, about
6-12 inches from the wall. Keep your toes
pointing straight ahead, slowly lower yourself
about 1/4 to 1/3 of the way down the wall.
b) Progression to include core strengthening:
theraband in hands and pull apart on
theraband by squeezing shoulder blades
together.
Repeat 10-30 times as a slow controlled
movement without holding the squat position.
32. Quarter Squat At the Sink
Stand with feet shoulder width
apart. Hands lightly holding
onto edge of sink. Bend knees
1/4 to 1/3 of the way down with
weight on both feet. Then shift
a little more weight on operated
leg.
Repeat 10-30 times as a slow
controlled movement without
holding the squat position.
Progression: Stand on operated
leg only and perform quarter
squat. Hold on to a support as
needed.
Repeat 10-30 times as a slow
controlled movement without
holding the squat position.
23
 Quadriceps Strengthening Progression Exercises
33. Lateral Step Up
Stand facing sideways with your operated foot on
the step.
a) Step up by straightening the operated knee.
b) Slowly lower non-operated leg to the floor by
bending operated knee with the buttock back and
the knee not ahead of the toes.
Repeat 10-30 times.

Progression: see page 27 for lateral step exercise

standing on a pillow.

34. Lateral Step With A Theraband

Operated foot on a step with Theraband looped

around your knee, non-operated foot on the floor
beside the step.
a) Step up by straightening your knee against
the resistance of the Theraband as shown in
(ii) picture.
b) Slowly lower non-operated leg to the floor
beside the step by bending operated knee
with the buttock back and the knee not ahead
of the toes. (i) (ii) (iii)

**Helpful Tip: Increase the step height as able. Begin with a 2-4 inch step, progress to a 6 inch then 8 24

inch step height. (A book beside the step allows for step height progression if needed.)
 Hip Strengthening Exercises
35. Side-lying Hip Abduction

Lie on your non-operated side with knee bent.

Straighten the knee of the top (operated) leg. Lift the
operated leg straight up to the ceiling as far as you
comfortably can. Do NOT roll your hips forward or
backward.
Hold 5 seconds. Repeat 10-20 times.

36. Clamshell

Lying on your non-operated side with hips and knees slightly bent. Lift the operated knee up while
keeping your feet together. Do NOT roll your hips forward or back. Progress by adding a Theraband
around the knees.

Hold 5 seconds. Repeat 10-20 times.

25
 Hip Strengthening Exercises
37. Hip Abduction with Theraband
**Only progress to this exercise, if you are able to do 30 repetitions of
exercise #14 with good form. (see picture)

Stand in front of a mirror, with your feet slightly apart. Put the Thera-
band around operated leg just above the knee. Bring your operated leg
out against the resistance of the band. Keep your knee straight. Allow
your leg to slowly return to the starting position. Repeat with non-
operated leg pulling on the band. Exercise #14

Hold 5 seconds.
Repeat 10-20 times.

38. Standing Abduction Strength

a) Stand on operated leg with knee straight and non-operated knee

bent against the wall. Push the knee outwards against the wall,
keeping body straight.

Progression: complete the same exercise but now only push

knee into wall, keeping the foot away from the wall (foot moves
toward standing leg).
Hold 5 seconds.
Repeat 10-20 times. 26
 Exercises To Improve Your Balance
39. a) Single Leg Balance on Unstable Surface:
Stand on your operated leg on a wobble board. If you do not have access to a wobble board you may attempt
this exercise using a pillow. Begin by holding on to a support. Gradually try to discontinue the use of support,
and increase the amount of time you are able to balance on your operated leg.
b) Lateral Step Up On Pillow
Stand facing sideways with your operated foot on a thick pillow (or a Bosu if available at your gym). Step up
by straightening the operated knee. Slowly lower non-operated leg to the floor by bending operated knee with
the buttock back and the knee not ahead of the toes. Use support as needed. Repeat 10 times.

40. Dynamic Balance

Place obstacles on the floor in a straight line with equal

distances between them. Attempt to clear these obstacles
by lifting your feet up and over them - NOT swinging
around them. Walk in a slow and controlled manner.
27
Operated leg on Operated leg on
wobble board pillow
 Exercise To Improve Your Trunk Core Endurance
41. Single Leg Stance with Theraband Rowing

Place band around doorknob and hold band in

each hand with palms facing each other. Stand
on operated leg with knee straight. Squeeze
shoulder blades together by pulling band back-
wards bringing arms beside the body.

Repeat 10 times while standing on operated leg.

Progress to 3 sets of 10 repeats.
Progression: Perform the same ex-
ercise with another band tied behind
the knee. Keep knee straight by
pulling back on band.

42. Chair Rise Progression

Sitting on a chair with Theraband tied around knees

and another Theraband held in each hand with palms
facing each other and thumbs pointing up. Raise off
chair and hold quarter squat position while maintaining
outward pull on each band to hold the position. Knees
remain in line over feet and not ahead of toes.

Hold 5 seconds. Repeat 10 times. 28

 Cycling
43. Stationary Cycling

To gain range of motion:

Without any resistance on the stationary bicycle, start by
rocking back and forth trying to bend the knee further each
time. Once you can achieve a full revolution you can
lower the seat to increase your range of motion further.

To improve strength:
Adjust the height of the seat so that it is as high as possible
when cycling, your knee should be straight when the pedal
is near the ground.

As your knee gets stronger you may gradually increase

the resistance up to a moderate level and increase the
speed of cycling to make the exercise more challenging
(i.e. pedal speed at 90 revolutions per minute (RPM)).
Ensure that you are not working too hard by being able to
carry on a conversation while cycling. *Cycling can help you to improve
range of motion, strength and
Increase resistance for up to one minute then decrease the overall fitness level.
resistance for 2 minutes (similar to going up and down Gradually increase cycling to 15-
hills), try to maintain your pedal speed at least at 60 RPM’s 20 minutes.
even with additional resistance.
29
 Exercises In The Gym
The following exercises can be attempted if you have access to gym equipment.
If you are not familiar with the equipment, consult a fitness instructor or a Physiotherapist.

44. Leg Press 45. Prone Hamstring Curls

Begin the exercise with your knee bent at Lie on your stomach with the leg straight and the
90 degrees. Push against the weight to bar on top of the ankle. Using a slow controlled
straighten the knee in a slow controlled movement, bend the knee to bring the foot
movement and then release back slowly. towards the buttock and release back slowly.

For the above exercises, progress to 3 sets of 10 repetitions,

your muscles should feel tired after the exercise, if not increase the weight next time. 30
 Resuming an Active Lifestyle
When you can resume your leisure activities following surgery depends on the physical demands of the activity
and your stage of recovery.
** Do not take up new sporting activities as inexperienced people are
at a higher risk for injuries and accidents**
Walking: This is an excellent activity, and you are strongly encouraged to gradually increase your walking
distance after you leave the hospital. Walk outdoors as long as the sidewalks are dry or consider going to a
nearby mall to walk indoors when the sidewalks are wet and slippery.
Stationary Cycling: can be resumed 1-2 weeks following your surgery, refer to page 21.
Swimming / Aqua-fit: can be resumed 2 weeks following surgery only if the incision is well healed and dry.
No whip kick but gentle breast stroke and flutter kick is allowed. Avoid side-to-side leg exercise in Aqua-fit.

ACTIVITIES THAT MAY BE RESUMED AFTER SURGEON/APP FOLLOW-UP (APPROX. 6-8 WEEKS)

 Driving may be started sooner if you are not taking narcotic pain medication and are able to climb stairs
reciprocally (normal pattern), only on the advice of your surgeon.
 Golf - begin at the driving range
 Gardening

Kneeling: It is NOT harmful to kneel on your new knee, however you may
experience pain when kneeling. If kneeling is undertaken, the use of a padded
surface or pillow is recommended. For example, when gardening a kneeling
platform is recommended. Kneeling Platform
31
ACTIVITIES THAT MAY BE RESUMED AT 12 WEEKS

 Bowling (Lawn or Indoors)

 Golf - you may return to the course (may be started earlier than 12 weeks as long as able
to walk without aids, and completed previous balance/core exercises)
 Outdoor cycling (NOT Mountain Biking)
 Low impact aerobic exercise
 Doubles tennis
HIGH RISK ACTIVITIES
All of the following activities are associated with slippery or unstable surfaces and therefore pose high risk of
falling. In addition, these activities can result in significantly higher forces on the replaced joint than are
considered safe and therefore, it is not recommended to begin to learn one of these activities following your
surgery. In the case of a highly experienced or expert athlete, the activity may be further discussed with the
surgeon.
 Downhill skiing  Mountain biking
 Cross-country skiing  Canoeing
 Ice skating  Sailing
 Inline skating  Kayaking

HIGH RISK ACTIVITIES THAT ARE NEVER PERMITTED

 Singles tennis Weight Training: Heavy lifting is never

 Jogging / Running recommended.
 Squash / Racquetball Generally it is recommended to use lighter
 Basketball to moderate resistance and increase the
 High impact aerobics workload through increasing the number 32

of repetitions performed.
 General Aerobic Fitness Suggestions
You can return to activities you used to do before surgery within the following guidelines. However, if you
have not been active before your surgery, please consult your family physician before starting to exercise.

It is important to start slowly, as you will not have been as active since surgery. You can begin initially with a
few minutes of activity and gradually progress (i.e. either increase the time you are performing the activity or
the distance you are covering).

The intensity of your workout should allow you to carry out a conversation or talk comfortably while
exercising. It is best to choose low-impact activities such as swimming, cycling, power walking or Aqua-Fit.

For further guidance about participating in exercise classes go to patient education at our website:
www.sunnybrook.ca/content/?page=Focus_MSK_info

Talk with a physiotherapist if you need more specific advice.

Copyright © 2005-2010;Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

All rights reserved by Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, operating as the Holland Orthopaedic & Arthritic Centre. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted by any means,
including photocopying and recording, or stored in a retrieval system of any nature without the written permission of Sunnybrook and Women’s College Health Sciences Centre: 43 Wellesley Street
East, Toronto, Ontario M4Y 1H1 (416) 967-8626

33
 Tracking you Knee Range of Motion
Date Knee Straightening Knee Bending

34